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No. 594,800. v Patented Nov, 30,1897.

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ELECTRIC RAIL BOND. 4 No. 594,800. Patented Nov .30, 1897.

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SLAUGHTER IV. HUFF, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JESSE HILLES, OF SAME PLACE.

ELECTRIC RAIL-BOND.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 594,800, dated November 30, 1897.

Original application filed August 29, 1896, Serial No. 604,304. Divided and this application filed March 11, 1897. Serial No. 627,055. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern: 4

Be it known that I, SLAUGHTER W. HUFF, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Baltimore, in the State of Mary- 5 land, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bonding Electric Conductors, of which the following is a specification.

This application is a division of my application, Serial No. 604,304, which was filed in to the United States Patent Office on or about the 29th day of August, 1896.

This invention relates more particularly to bonds of certain constructions and the manner of making the same, as also to certain novel combinations in bonding electric conductors.

The first part of my invention has special reference to construction where the bond is to assume a very flat shape-for instance, when used beneath the fish-plate and the body portion bent or curved in the plane of its width, or edgewise. Flat bonds bent edgewise are generally found too stiff to yield readily to movement of the connected parts when affected by heat and cold. It is very un- 2 5 desirable that the bond be stiff, owing to the tendency to move the attaching-lug in its socket and invariable corrosion and the loosening of the electrical joint which follows any such movement of the lug. To render body portions sufficiently flexible when bent edgewise, I divide them by a number of longitu dinal slits into a multiplex form or otherwise construct them in such multiplex form made up of a number of strips all integral with or 55 formed of the same original piece as the attaching-lugs at their ends, but throughout their length of small dimension in the direction of bending. In making bonds of this form I prefer to form them of sheet metal; but when thus formed the curling of the ends to form tubular attaching-lugs causes buckling of intermediate strips of the body portion, which buckling is increased by turning the lugs into their proper position at right angles to the plane of the body portion. To overcome this bu'cklin g, the ends are turned or twisted, preferably in opposite directions, until the body assumes a spiral relation and the buckling is reduced, as will hereinafter appear. The resulting form gives the requisite bending to afiord resiliency.

Under some circumstances I may also form a flat and yielding construction by dividing up the body portion of bonds which are bent in the direction of their lesser transverse di-" mensions. Such forms may also have the attaching-thimbles made up of sections, each section being integral with and formed of the same originalpiece as one of the strips forming the body.

In attaching the bonds or in making analogous electrical connections of other parts according to my invention I employ a sleeve which comes in direct contact with the wall of the opening in the part to be connected, a rivet being inserted for the purpose of forcing the sleeve into intimate contact and being then upset to-prevent removal. By this means the current has but a single break to pass, and by the nature of this the resistance is reduced to a minimum. When this connection is employed for the purpose of attaching a bond, the sleeve forms an integral cylindrical attaching-lug on the bond. The form of rivet preferably used is one with a conical end depression, which rivet, after being driven in to expand the sleeve or lug, is upset-by a center punch and hammer and left substantially flush on either side. There it simply unites two parts, as is sometimes the case in elec- 8o trically connecting the tie-bars, the sleeve simply passes through the two adjacent parts to be connected and is forced into the same intimate contact with both parts by the inserted expanding-rivet. In some cases it is desirable to employ a sleeve or attaching-lug with an opening or slit and to use in connection with the rivet, either integral therewith or separate therefrom, a spline which entersthe slit or opening to expand the sleeve while the rivet presses it uniformly into contact with the wall of the opening in the part to be connected. It is also desirable in some cases to form a groove in the side of the opening in the part to be connected corresponding to the slitLin the sleeve orattaching-lug and to cause tion, which would result in wear and consequentlooseness and corrosion, followed by destruction of the joint for electrical purposes. The same result may be produced by making the bore or opening non-cylindrical and forming the rivet of such size that it will cause the metal of the sleeve or lug to flow into the angular portions of the bore or opening and thus eifectually key against rotation.

In manufacturing bonds I stamp blanks from sheet metal and then bend them up into proper shape, and inasmuch as the bonds may be made of various shapes of blanks Ifind it convenient and economical to arrange or mark out the outlines of the blanks in a pcculiar way or ways upon the sheet metal, so that there will be no waste. In riveting the bonds or connections I- employ any suitable tools. A

A further feature of my invention consists of novel means for electrically connecting different tracks together, according to which I employ tie-bars which are mechanically connected either with the rails or with the wooden or other cross-ties adjacent to the rails, and I independently connect these tiebars electrically by means of my improved bonds, which are made to bridge the space between the under side of the rail and the under side of the tie-bar, or else I employ the improved bonding-sleeve which is substantially the same as the attaching-lug on the bond, except that it passes directly through the tie-bar and the foot of the rail upon which said tie-bar rests.

In places where it becomes necessary to use a wire for connecting the tracks together or to a conductor which leads from the tracks I make substantially the same sleeve connection by constructing a sleeve on each end of a piece of sheet metal and soldering or otherwise electrically joining the wire in one sleeve. This form of double-sleeve connection is also useful in other connections, and to provide for making two diiferent riveted connections the sleeves are formed by bending the metal either in opposite directions, so as to throw the sleeves out of line, or bending them about axes which are at right angles to each other. My invention will be understood in detail upon reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figures 1 to 7, inclusive, relate to one form of multiplex-structure bond and illustrate the manner of making the same and its use when required to occupy a minimum amount of space-as, for instance, when used beneath the fish-plate-Fig. 1 showing a plan for cutting the preferred form of blank from sheet metal with a minimum waste, Figs. 2, 3, and 4 showing blanks from which the bond is made, Figs. 5 and 6 showing finished bonds made from such blanks, and Fig. 7 showing the use of such bonds. Figs. 8 to 12 illustrate a modified construction of bond arranged in several forms wherein the width is reduced to adapt it for use, as shown in Fig. 7, butthe conductivity retained by increasing the number of strips and the strips made integral with or formed of the same original body of metal as the attaching-lugs by formin g the latter in sections with the strips. Figs. 13 to 17 represent five methods of making electrical connections for bonding, Fig. 13 showing a plain-sleeve connection, Fig. 14 showing the split-sleeve construction expanded by a separate or integral spline, Fig. 15 showing such spline projecting into a key-groove in the bore to prevent rotation, Fig. 16 showing a form of non-cylindrical bore in which the metal of the sleeve is caused to flow into the indentations by driving in a large rivet, and Fig. 17 showing a square opening with square sleeve and rivet. Figs. 18 to 24 illustrate the manner of electrically connecting different tracks, Fig. 18 illustrating by plan and edge View one of the tie-bars bored for mechanical and electrical connection, Figs. 19 and 20 illustrating such tie-bars when mechanically and electrically connected with the rails, Figs. 21 and 22 illustrating the tie-bars mechanically connected to the cross-ties and bonded to the rails, and Figs. 23 and 24 showing the manner of directly connecting the tiebars with the rails by means of the through sleeves and rivets. Figs. 25 and 26 represent the manner of making a double thimble in which the thimbles are out of line in order that each may be separately riveted or otherwise joined to a part to be connected, and Figs. '27 and 28 represent a double thimble with the axes at right angles to each other for similar purposes. Fig. 29 is an enlarged view showing the bonding of the cross-rod.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the blanks 1 are preferably formed with the appositely-extending lug-forming extensions 2, for the reason that said blanks may then be cut from a continuous sheet or strip of metal, as shown at Fig. 1, with comparatively little waste. The flat bond forming the first part of my present invention may also be formed of bonds substantially as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, wherein the lug-forming extensions 2 2 extend in the same direction either wholly to one side or evenly in both directions. In all of these forms the body portion of the blank 1 is slitted, as indicated by longitudinal lines, to make it of multiplex structure and readily flexible edgewise or in the plane of its width. The lugs 3 are then formed by rolling or curling the projections 2, 2, or 2 about an axis longitudinal to the body portion and then bent until their axes are transverse to the plane of the body portion. By this last step the intermediate strips forming the multiplex body are caused to. buckle up, as will be readily understood by reason of the curvature of the tnbular'attachings-lugs. To reduce this buckling, I then rotate or twist the lugs about their axes either in opposite directions to produce the spiral effect shown at 4 and 5 in Fig. 5 or form curves 6 and 7 in similar directions, at the same time forming a curve 8 in the middle of the body portion to produce the form shown in Fig. 6. By either of these modes of curving or twisting all the strips are again caused to assume position in the same plane and restore the fiat form of the bond and at the same time impart to the bond as a whole great yielding capacity. a

In both Figs. 5 and 6 there is present the feature of curving the body portion at two points in opposite directions to take up fullness caused by curling the end to form the lug. In Fig. 6 there is the intermediate curve 8, which is opposite to each of the end curves 6 and 7 and cooperates with each to take up the fullness, while in Fig. 5 the end curves 4 and 5 are opposite each other and cooperate to take up said fullness. Such a method of construction involves no reduction in conductivity or increase in resistance and gives a form which occupies a very smallspace transversely. Such a bond is especially adapted for use beneath the fish-plate, as shown in Fig. 7.

As shown in Figs. 8 to 12, I may make up the body portion of strips 9 or 10 or 11 or 12 or 13, the attaching-lugs 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 being in each case formed of sections integral with the respective strips and together making up the cylindrical form, as shown, respectively, in Figs. 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. It will be seen that these strips radiate at different points from the cylindrical attachinglugs formed by the sections and that they lie in the same plane and thus produce a flat construction adapted for the use shown in Fig. 7. Moreover, where the strips radiate from opposite sides of the lugs, as shown in Figs. 8, 9, and 10, any torsional effect produced by tension on the strips is avoided, as each strip counteracts the other..

Referring to Figs. 13 to 17, each of which illustrates a rivet-stud, a tubular attachinglug, a bored plate to be bonded, and the finished connection, Fig. 13 illustrates a simple form of tubular attaching-lug 19 and plain rivet 20. Fig. 14 shows an open attaching lug 21 and a stud 22, having an integral spreading-feather 23, or a stud and a separate feather 23. Fig. shows a similar arrangement, wherein the feather 23 or 23 projects into an opening 24 in the bonded conductor to prevent rotation of the attachinglug. Fig. 16 represents a plan by which the stud 22 forces the metal of the lug 19 to flow into a number of circumferential notches 25, formed in the conductor to be bonded. Fig. 17 represents a square stud 26 and a square lug 27 to be forced into a square opening 28 of the conductor to be bonded. All these forms are similar in principle and expand the lug, and, with the exception of Figs. 13 and 14, have means to prevent rotation of said lug and consequent loosening of the joint.

In attaching sleeves or lugs by means of,,expanding-rivets I form the rivet 22 with a conical cavity 22, Fig. 7, and then upset and expand the ends within the sleeve or lug, as shown.

Referring to Figs. 18 to 22, 30 represents the tie-bar, having bond-hole 31 and bolt-' holes 32. The bar 30 may be fastened or supported on the trolley-pole, as shown at 33, or it may be fastened to the cross-ties, as shown at 33. 34 represents the boltsby which it is mechanically connected with the rails, and 1 represents the bonds by which the tie-bars are electrically connected with the rails. 30 represents tie-bars which stop short of the rails and are connected therewith by bonds alone, such bars depending for mechanical fastening by being bolted at 33 to the crossties. 35 represents the through sleeves and rivets which are employed for joining the tie-bars directly to the rails, as hereinbefore explained. Such a connection is useful where there is not room for a bond below the rail and in other connections.

In forming the double thimble I take a blank 36, as shown in Fig. 25, and curve the two integral offsets in opposite directions to produce the double thimble shown in Fig.

26, the thimbles being out of line with each 5 other to adapt each for manipulation independently of the other.

By taking a blank 37 (shown in Fig. 27)

and curving each offset about an axis transverse to its length a double thimble is formed with the lugs 37 37 at right angles to each other, as shown in Fig. 28.

Having thus described my invention, the following is what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A bond for electrical connections, comprising a fiat-metal body portion composed of a number of parts which render it flexible edge- Wise,and attaching-lugs integral with the ends of said body portion and formed of'the same IIO original body of metal as said body portion.

2. A bond for making electrical connections formed of fiat metal and comprising a body portion divided longitudinally into a number of strips to transform it into a multiplex structure which is flexible edgewise, and tubular attaching-lugs formed on the ends of the flat metal, as explained.

3. A bond for making electrical connections, comprising tubular attaching-lugs formed of bent sheet metal, and a multiplex connectingstrip integral with said lugs, and flexible to permit them to assume a shape which will render them resilient in use, as explained.

4. A bond for making electrical connections, comprising attaching-lugs and a flat, connecting-body,com prising a plurality of component parts all in the same plane and each formed in the same original piece of metal as said lugs, whereby the body is flexible edgewise and adapted to assume a shape which will render it resilient in use.

5. A bond for electrical purposes com prising a flatn1etal body portion slitted longitudinally to make it flexible edgewise and having the integral flat-metal offset or enlargement curled or bent, substantially as described into a tubular attaching -lug; 'said body portion being also curved or turned edgewise to take up fullness produced in some of its component parts by forming the tubular lug as herein explained.

6. A bond for electrical purposes comprising a flat-metal body portion slitted longitudinally to make it flexible edgewise and havin g integral offsets or enlargements at its ends curled or bent into attaching-lugs projecting laterally from the plane of the body portion; said body portion being curved at two places in opposite directions to take up fullness produced in some of the constituent parts by forming the lug, as explained.

7. A bond for electrical purposes comprising a flat-metal body portion divided longitudinally into a number of strips which render it flexible edgewise, and with enlargements at the ends bent into integral attaching-lugs; said body portion being curved adjacent to the lugs, and also intermediately of said ends, and in opposite direction thereto substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

8. In a connector for electrical conductors, the combination of a cross-rod of conducting material, means whereby said cross-rod is mechanically fastened in place relatively to the conductors to be connected, and the hereindescribed resilient electric bonds making intimate electrical contact or connection with the cross-rod and the two conductors, substantially as described.

9. In a conductor for electrically connecting two lines of railway-track, the combination of the cross-rod, means whereby the ends of said cross-rod are mechanically fastened to the respective lines of track, and electrical bonding connection also joining said ends to said lines of track, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

10. In an electric railway, the combination with the rails,of cross-bars projecting between the rails and the herein-described bond, formed with lateral attaching-lugs inserted in openings beneath the cross-bars and the bases of the rails, to electrically connect them substantially in the manner explained.

' 11. In a bond for making electrical connections, the combination of the tubular attaching-lugs, and a body portion formed of strips uniting the lugs, flexibly to adapt them for bending so as to afford resiliency in use; said strips projecting from different points on the circumference of the tubular lugs in order to counteract torsional effects imposed on the lugs by tension on the respective bodystrips, as explained.

12. In a bonded connection for electrical purposes, the combination of the metallic body to be connected, having a non-cylindrical opening, a bond having attaching-lugs permanently expanded into contact with the wall of the opening to prevent turning therein as explained.

13. In a bonded connection for electrical purposes, the combination of the metallic body to be connected, having a non-cylindrical opening, abond having a tubular attaching-lug, and a rivet formed to permanently expand the lug into contact with the wall of the opening to prevent turning there in, as explained.

14. In combination with a metallic body to be electrically connected, a connecting-terminal having a split or open tubular attaching-lug and a spline and rivet for insertion respectively into the split and the eye of the lug for spreading and permanently opening the latter into intimate contact with the opening as explained.

15. In combination with a metallic body to be electrically connected, a bond having a split or open tubular attaching-lug, and a spline and rivet for insertion respectively into the split and the eye of the lug for spreading and permanently opening the latter into intimate contact with the opening, as explained.

16. In combination with the metallic body, to be connected, having an opening formed with a key-groove, an electrical connector having a slitted tubular attaching-lug, a securing-pin entering the eye of the lug, and a spline or feather entering the slit in the lug and the key-groove in the opening for securing the lug against turning, as explained.

17. In combination with the abutting ends of rails, and with the connecting fish-plate therefor, a bond comprising a body portion formed of a number of strips which render the body portion flexible in the direction of its width, and two tubularattaching-lugs projecting at right angles to the plane of the body portion, into openings formed in the web of the rail; said body portion lying flat upon said web beneath the fish-plate as explained.

18. A bond for electrical purposes formed of a body portion and attaching-1n gs, and made of sections, each section embracing two lug-forming parts and a connecting body portion, and the sections being fitted to form two complete attaching-lugs and a multiplex flexible body, as explained.

10. A bond for making electrical connections, comprising attaching-lugs and a multiplex connecting-body, each component part of which body portion is formed of the same original body of metal as said lugs, and flexible to permit it to assume a shape which will render it resilient in use.

20. A bond for electrical purposes comprising attaching ends and an intermediate multiplex body portion bent in opposite di- IIO rections to form a bond of approximate S shape, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

21. In a bond for making electrical connections, the combination of the metallic body to be connected having an opening, the tubular attaching-lug inserted in said opening and the rivet having a conical depression driven into said lug to permanently expand it into contact with the Wall of the Opening; to the driVing end of the rivet being upset by hammering While the coned end isupset 0r swelled by contact with an upsetting center punch, substantially as set forth.

SLAUGHTER W. HUFF. Witnesses:

HUGH M. STERLING, H. S. KNIGHT. 

